The man who appeared from the magic circle was none other than the very subject of their discussion, Diodora Astaroth.
A leisurely, sinister smile played on his lips as his gaze, brimming with a twisted desire, settled on Asia.
The air in the room grew heavy, thick with a tension that was part hostility, part something darker and more possessive.
"Diodora-san..."
"Ah, Asia. Though they pale before your beauty, they represent my feelings. Please, accept them."
Diodora presented Asia with a massive bouquet of red roses, easily over a hundred stems.
'Damn it,' Issei thought, his blood boiling. 'Just because the bastard's handsome, he gets to pull this cheesy shit... If I tried that, everyone would just laugh!'
"Diodora-san... I appreciate your feelings, but I really can't accept gifts like this anymore..."
Asia said, looking troubled. 'That's it, Asia! Tell him straight that his shit is just a nuisance!'
"Asia... I see, I understand... Then, to convey my feelings, I'll show you not with an object, but with my actions—I'll say it as many times as it takes, Asia. I love you. Please accept my burning passion."
Thinking Diodora was just taking Asia's hands, Issei watched in horror as the man suddenly pulled her into a tight embrace!! 'You son of a bitch! Are you fucking kidding me?!'
"Get your fucking hands off her!! Can't you see she's uncomfortable?!"
Blinded by rage, Issei lunged to shove Diodora away, but Diodora, still clinging to Asia, smoothly sidestepped him.
"And who might you be? Must you be so vulgar?"
"Don't fuck with me! Let Asia go!!"
Responding to Issei's fury, the [Boosted Gear] materialized on his arm. Seeing it, Diodora gave a derisive snort.
"Hmph—I see. So you're the current Red Dragon Emperor... I've heard the rumors. They say you're the 'Weakest Red Dragon Emperor in History,' is that right?"
"What the hell did you say—!?"
"Every previous Red Dragon Emperor achieved their [Balance Breaker] soon after awakening, yet you still haven't. I heard you made a pathetic spectacle of yourself in your recent game against Sona Sitri as well."
"Guh!?"
"On top of that, your school reputation is utterly abysmal. A habitual peeping tom and sexual harasser, called one of the 'Perverted Trio' with your friends, I hear? Someone like you has no right to lecture me about Asia."
"Grrrrr... N-no, I do! Asia lives at my house! We're practically family!"
"Ah, so I've heard. But you've publicly declared yourself Asia's 'big brother,' haven't you? Meddling in your little sister's love life will only make her hate you, big bro~ther."
"That's!... Well... I mean..."
'Damn it!' He wanted to retort, but it was all true, leaving him tongue-tied!
"Enough, Diodora! Stop this at once, barging in here and insulting my servant!"
While Issei bit his lip in frustration, Rias cut in.
"My apologies for the rudeness, Rias. But do you truly believe Asia can find happiness as she is now?"
Rias narrowed her eyes suspiciously at Diodora's words.
"...What do you mean?"
"She lived her life in the church as a holy maiden. Do you think a girl like that can truly be happy living in the secular world like this?"
"That's..."
"Asia was cast out of the church for healing my wounded self. Do you understand? I bear a responsibility toward her. I wish to return her to the state she was in as a holy maiden. While a full return may be impossible, with the recent opening of communications with Heaven, we might be able to get close. Rias, and you, Red Dragon Emperor, have you never considered that? If not, then your desire to keep Asia by your side is nothing but your own selfishness."
"!!?"
It was a direct hit to their insecurities. It was something Issei had wondered himself—was Asia perhaps happier in her days as a holy maiden than she was with them? But he wanted Asia by his side. Because he... he—
[…Why don't you just die?]
At that moment, a cold woman's voice resurfaced in Issei's mind.
"!!?"
A sharp, needle-like pain stabbed his heart, making him clutch the front of his uniform. He knew that voice.
'What the hell? Why was she surfacing now?!' As Issei reeled from this internal shock,
"Please let me go..."
At Asia's quiet yet iron-willed words, Diodora released his hands.
"I am grateful for your feelings, Diodora-san. But please do not decide my happiness for me."
"...It's true, when I was called a holy maiden, I lived a comfortable life without want, healing as the church asked and praying to the Lord. But everyone around me called me 'holy maiden,' and no one truly saw me. The people here, however, see not a holy maiden, but me, a girl named Asia. To me, that is the most joyful, the happiest thing of all."
"Asia..."
Asia's heartfelt words washed over them. Learning his fears were unfounded brought unbidden tears to Issei's eyes.
"...You understand now. Asia's happiness is here. Your assumptions are completely off the mark. Now, if you understand, please leave. We are in the middle of an important meeting."
At Rias's words, Diodora glanced over at the monitor.
"I see. So you were formulating countermeasures against me... Then, how about this? Let's wager on Asia in the next game. If I win, you agree to a trade. If I lose, I swear to give up on her.—Asia, to prove my love for you, I will win without fail."
Diodora, pushing the narrative, took Asia's hand and brought his lips toward her knuckles—'Like hell I'll let him!'
"Don't fuck with me! Who the hell would lose to a bastard like you?!"
Just before his lips could touch her skin, Issei shoved Diodora's shoulder. Staggering slightly, Diodora grinned.
"Then the wager is set. Thank you, big bro~ther."
Ah...! Flustered, Issei looked around to see Rias face palming with a heavy sigh. 'Shit! My words just sealed the bet. Damn it, I fucked up!' As Issei bit his lip in fierce regret, Diodora murmured,
"At least I'm trying to convey my feelings to her. You, who doesn't even do that, have no right to criticize. Do you understand, big bro~ther?"
"!!?"
Diodora's words carved into Issei's heart. 'I do too... I feel for Asia too—! But...!'
[…Why don't you just die?]
Once again, the cold woman's voice echoed, and with it, a sharp pain lanced through his chest. 'Why? Why is that memory resurfacing now of all times?!' Issei's eyes flickered toward the source of the voice—Raynare—but she didn't notice his gaze, her own eyes fixed on Asia with concern.
"Then I shall take my leave. Oh, but before that, Asia."
"Yes?"
"If you are ever in pain or sorrow, just call for me in your heart. I will come to your aid immediately."
Saying this, Diodora insistently squeezed Asia's hand.
...
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